France dominates the Sommelier Wine Awards 2014

France took home a total of 366 medals and commendations in this year's Sommelier Wine Awards, with nearly 100 more accolades than the runner up Italy, which took home 267.

Premium New Zealand wine commerce site launches in UK

Top New Zealand wine expert Melanie Brown is launching an e-commerce site dedicated to over 160 premium New Zealand wines for the UK market.

New Zealand winery Amisfield signs Inverarity Morton as UK agent

New Zealand winery Amisfield has returned to the UK market after a five-year absence and signed Scottish distributor Inverarity Morton as sole agent.

Mitchells & Butlers sees flat half year profits but food volume growth

Bar and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers has seen a sluggish first half, with pre-tax profits flat at £68 million and like for like sales up 1.1%.

Wine merchants launch Orpens cider with help of winemaker Bruce Jack

Two Irish wine merchants are launching craft cider Orpens into the UK market, with the help of renowned South African winemaker Bruce Jack.

Ibiza Ice looks to crack the sparkling wine cocktail category

Ibiza Ice is the latest brand entry in to the growing sparkling wine cocktail category with the added selling point of having only a 5.5% abv.

France still best performing wine in on-trade

On-trade wine sales fell by 2% during 2013, and stayed flat in the first quarter, according to figures compiled by CGA for the WSTA market report. In the long-term, France still remains best-performing country for wine in the on-trade. It has grown 10% in the 12 months to January 25, 2014 and now holds a 27% share of total wine sales.

Matthew Clark ramps up wine training for sales teams

Matthew Clark is bumping up its wine training for its sales team as it looks to boost its wine sales and credentials.

Merchant House to open specialist gin and rum bar in London

The London Bar Consultants are opening Merchant House in the City, which will stock super premium and rare rums as well as 250 different gins.

Matthew Clark sees wine sales rise 7%

Wine sales at on-trade wholesaler Matthew Clark have jumped by 7% in the last year, outperforming the on-trade as a whole where sales fell 13%, according to CGA.

Final 12 sommeliers chosen to battle it out for Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014

The 12 semi-finalists of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine Service, have been announced who will now battle it out to go through to the grand final.

Sake: hot or cold? Anna Greenhous on when it's right to heat things up

Whether sake should be drunk warm or cold is the subject of much debate. People unfamiliar with sake have often only experienced it warm, and so believe this is the way it should be served. Some sake fans claim good quality sake should always be served cold and that bad sake is warmed to hide its faults. However, it isn't that simple.

My List: Devon Pryor, head sommelier at Home House, London

Hands down, the wine I am most excited to have added to the list recently is Château La Lagune 2005. This 3eme Cru Haut-Médoc is on the Home House list for £188.

Bottle Green poaches national account manager from Australian Vintage

Wine importer and distributor Bottle Green as appointed Russell Smith to senior national account manager, with responsibility for two national off-trade customers.

Stevens Garnier to distribute Finca Flichman through Molson Coors

Stevens Garnier has appointed Molson Coors to distribute its Argentinian brand Finca Flichman in the on-trade.

Organic wine firm Vintage Roots returns to growth

Organic wines supplier Vintage Roots has seen sales surge by 12% in the past nine months.

Jägermeister to leave Cellar Trends and set up its own UK distribution company

Noma reclaims the title of World's Best Restaurant

Harpers Awards announces its finalists for 2014

Restaurants, bars, sommeliers, multiple grocers, drinks websites, independent wine merchants, suppliers and brand owners will all come together on June 2 in the hope of winning a trophy at the Harpers Awards 2014.

Tube strikes will mean more losses for London's restaurants and bars

London bars and restaurants face losses as more Tube strikes are lined up, says the British Hospitality Association.